Disney World Vacation: Best Tips for Staying Cool

It is always fun to visit Walt Disney World when the weather is chilly at home or when the hotel rooms in Florida are the cheapest. Unfortunately due to school schedules many of us can only visit Disney World in the steamy heat of Florida summer. Here are my top tips to keep cool in a hot muggy Florida vacation.

Get up early. Most guests like to pamper themselves on vacation. They like to sleep in and then eat a large leisurely breakfast. You can get the jump on all of these sleepy tourists by getting up early. Eat a light breakfast in your room or grab a fast snack from the food court. You may even wait until you get the park to eat a light breakfast. Then you can be at your chosen park when the gates open. You will miss all of the late sleepers and be first in line for your favorite ride. This is the best time to get your kids on line at the Dumbo ride. Dumbo is usually the first ride every child wants to ride at the Magic Kingdom and the wait times can be very long later in the day.

Leave the park. I know, you are paying for this vacation and Disney isn't cheap. The temptation to squeeze every last cent of enjoyment out of those tickets is great. If you plow through Disney World determined to get there in the morning and stay till the park closes you will not enjoy the day. Especially if it is a hot and humid day in August and you are waiting in countless lines. Wouldn't it be nice to just rest your feet and sit in air conditioned comfort for a while? Sure it would, and you can do that! It's your vacation and resting will help you enjoy it to the fullest.

Taking a break at lunch time is a great way to cool off and rest for a busy evening at the parks. If you go back to your resort you can take a dip in the pool, take a nap or even a quick cool shower. Two hours in the middle of your day may make the difference between a difficult evening with hot and sleepy kids and a rested vacation evening enjoying the incredible Disney rides and fireworks.

No matter how hard you try you won't be able to "see everything." Disney World is just that, an entire world. It is designed to make you want to come back again and again. Once you adjust to the idea that you can never see everything you can relax and just take in the experience that is Disney World.

Air conditioning. Sometimes the ride lines are just too long to handle in the heavy Florida heat. In that case I advise you to grab a FastPass ticket to that popular ride with the long line and then find a ride with air conditioning. All of the enclosed rides and restaurants in Disney World have air conditioning. A quick trip around the Monorail or a visit to the Pirates of the Caribbean goes a long way toward cooling you off and resting your hot, tired feet. Then you can return to the ride and wait in the much shorter Fastpass line.

Water, water and more water! This tip applies to everyone who is braving the melting Florida heat. Try to avoid the sugary treats available, (yes, even the heavenly Dole Whip!) Try to drink water frequently, some stalls and food stands may even offer free cups of ice to help cool you down. Please avoid putting your feet in the many tempting fountians scattered throughout Disney World. There are plenty of other and more sanitary options to cool off around the parks. We like to freeze plastic bottles of water and they slowly melt during the day providing us with a cool source of water.

Prevent Chafing. There is nothing worse than blisters and heat rashes when you still have miles to walk. Body Glide is a national brand of sports lubricant. Runners use it to avoid blisters and chafing. Baby powder helps but you have to reapply frequently and then you have to deal with white powder everywhere. Body Glide can be used on any part of the body that is prone to irritation so it is a handy item to have in your backpack or fanny pack.

Think Light. Even your Emo teenager will have trouble keeping their cool dressed all in black at Disney World. White and light colors will reflect the heat instead of absorbing it. Natural fabrics such as cotton will also help with wicking away the moisture and they create a cooling sensation as they dry. Light tank tops and shorts are great as long as you remember the sunblock.Nothing beats a cool cotton sundress on a summer day. Hats are essential for protecting your scalp and eyes from sun irritation.

Shoes. Help your feet beat the heat by using Body Glide on blister prone areas. Shoes that dry quickly such as Crocs or Keens sandels are great. Even if you want to pack light you should bring at least one change of shoes in your luggage. Tennis shoes may be easy on the feet but make sure that you change your socks as soon as they become damp. Once you have a blister it makes Disney World seem much less magical!

Since Disneyworld is open year round there are many times to visit. Keep an eye out for my guides to surviving rainy days and cold days at our favorite vacation destination!